SPORTS DIGEST:Claire Lambe led all the way down the course to win her heat and qualify for the A Final of the lightweight single sculls at the World University Rowing Championships in Kazan in Russia. The Dubliner had almost six seconds to spare by the end and will be among the hot favourites for a medal tomorrow
Niall Kenny led in a high-quality heat to 500 metres in the men’s lightweight single sculls, but was passed by all three other scullers in the second 1,000 metres.
He was dominant in his repechage, however, and will compete in today’s semi-finals.
LIAM GORMAN
Italy end Ireland’s European Senior women’s hopes
Ireland’s hopes of securing a first European Senior Ladies Team title were dashed in the cruellest of manners in Switzerland yesterday. They were beaten 3-2 in the semi-finals by Italy but that bare statistic tells only half the story as two of the points were won by the Italians on an extra hole and the other on the home green.
Suzanne Corcoran from Portumna and Laytown and Bettystown’s Carol Wickham were both involved in nail-biting tussles with Guenda Preti Moavero and Emanuela Gumirato respectively with never more than a hole separating them – but in the end the Italians kept their nerve and pulled through on the 19th. At the bottom r Violet McBride from Belvoir Park was edged out on the final green by Silvia Valli. Earlier the foursomes pairing of Sheena McElroy and Pat Doran emerged 21 victors over Giovanna Foglia and Camilla Dettori and the experienced Irish Seniors Champion Helen Jones was a one-hole winner against Francesco Christillin.
Ireland will today face Spain with the Bronze medal at stake while Italy meet top seeds and defending champions France in the final. Meanwhile Ireland’s men beat Scotland 4-1 in their European Seniors Championship in Portugal and take on Spain today in the fifth-place play-off.
Ireland’s juniors stay in contention in Poland
IRELAND are in second place going into today’s cross-country phase of the junior European eventing championships in Strzegom, Poland.
The team maintained an overnight hold on pole position when Tori Dixon went into the lead early yesterday with the thoroughbred mare Shadow Light on a score of 42.50 penalties, taking over from fellow North of Ireland rider Lucca Stubington and Kilminchy Condor (44.00).
However, Dixon’s score was equalled later in the morning by Britain’s Emily King on Mr Hiho and bettered shortly after lunch by Sophie How who, also riding for Britain, achieved an unbeatable score of 35 penalties on the grey gelding Pebbly Aga Khan.
Ireland’s final team rider, Templepatrick’s Harold Megahey, finished in a good fourth position with Chuckelberry (43.10) to leave the squad in second on a total of 129.60 penalties. Britain now lead on 125.20 with Germany in third on 136.00. Competing as an individual, Co Cork’s Jodie O’Keeffe is in 24th place with Kachemire le Beau.
Teams – 1, Britain 125.20 penalties; 2, Ireland 129.60; 3, Germany 136; 4, France 142.70; 5, Italy 149.90; 6, Belgium 152.10; 15 nations started.
